In memory of WWII victims

From Wikipedia entry on Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery:

in 2006 a Liberal Democratic Party leader proposed that the cemetery be expanded so that it might honor all war dead in a way akin to Arlington National Cemetery.

Given Chidorigafuchi's lack of extremist undertones, unlike Yasukuni, I hope that this cemetery does increasingly come to replace Yasukuni as Japan's Arlington National Cemetery, acting as a sacred place for Japanese government officials and others to honor those who have died for their country. Much healthier for the Japanese people, its economy, and the country's relations with its neighbors.

Ironic that this ceremony took place on a US national holiday, Memorial Day.

There is no need for political or anti-Japanese comments regarding this photo and went on here.

It is what it is. If people bash Abe and Japanese over this, it will lead them to think that no matter what they do they will be attacked and criticized.

I have no problem with Abe attending this ceremony in his position as Prime Minister. Many of those in attendance lost loved ones who were not guilty of anything.

Lest we forget.

Sensato

Hear, hear.

So, this guy, the same guy who tried to deny the sex slave issue, is laying flowers for the troops that died overseas and THEY are 'victims'?

In this case, and with all casualties in any war, yes they were victims. Victims of a political regime that thought it could take over the world. Well at least Asia anyway.

They're always patting themselves on their backs and reminding themselves what victims Japanese were. How about raising a memorial to honor the victims of Japan's aggression. Why should those soldiers deserve a memorial anyway? The everyday rank and file were responsible for the Rape of Nanking, the Sack of Hong Kong, the Manila massacres and Bataan death March, the torture and abuse and murder of POWs at Changi and the sexual abuse of hundreds of thousands of women and girls across Asia. What exactly should they be honored for?

Abe playing the victim again - an end to all elitist driven war.

Good on him for attending as PM.

Lest we forget.

all makes sense, except that several LDP ministers have already said that Yasukuni is where the souls of the war dead reside so a change to anywhere else in not permissible.

If you have a problem with the usage of the word "victim" you should write a letter to the Associated Press. The use of the word came from them, not the Japanese government.

Upgrayedd: "If you have a problem with the usage of the word "victim" you should write a letter to the Associated Press. The use of the word came from them, not the Japanese government."

Ah, so he's the victim of my comment. Please. While he himself may not have used the literal term victim, he sure is treating the war dead as such. Beats Yasukuni, but still. And don't pretend Japan doesn't play the victim card every chance it gets.

"The usage of "victim" is just a mistranslation. Fairly common in the Western press."

Not nearly as common as a Japanese saying they've been 'mistranslated' when caught doing/saying something controversial. Funniest is when they are chided by JAPANESE sources and they still insist they were misinterpreted.

The people who went to fight overseas and die weren't victims, they were suckers. It's quite sad that they lost their lives over lies, but ultimately they chose to take the risk. Sorry, while I lament the human urge to war, I have no pity for those who went to rape, murder, and die in the name of some false belief system.

@SmithinJapan: You mean incense, not flower ?

So, this guy, the same guy who tried to deny the sex slave issue, is laying flowers for the troops that died overseas and THEY are 'victims'?

Also, a quick google search reveals that the Japanese government and Prime Minister Abe used the word 戦没者 (senbotsusha) which simply means someone who died in battle. The usage of "victim" is just a mistranslation. Fairly common in the Western press.

In addition, in case anyone is interested, the ashes of these particular unknown soldiers came from Russia and Iwo Jima.

It's called "Iwo To" now.

The Chidorigafuchi Memorial is beautiful and free of the political garbage of Yasukuni.

There is nothnig wrong with a ceremony there.

But Abe will spoil it all by going to the other place too.

The Chidorigafuchi Memorial is beautiful and free of the political garbage of Yasukuni.

There is nothnig wrong with a ceremony there.

There, I fixed it for you.

Lest we forget.

Amen